The tradition of Si Dian Jin
February 28, 2022
What is Si Dian Jin
Si Dian Jin is a beautiful tradition practiced by the Chinese for a very long time. Originated from Teochew culture, this tradition is continuously being practiced by most Chinese families in Singapore today. This custom surfaced from the olden times, where houses in the Teochew provinces had 4 curved rooftops that resemble the umbrella shaped character ‘Jin’. When a mother in law gives her daughter in law Si Dian Jin, it shows that the daughter in law will always have a roof (or 4 roofs) over her head.
The word Si Dian Jin translates to ‘4 touches of gold‘, meaning it consists of 4 different jewelries, a necklace, a bangle, a ring and a pair of earrings. The groom’s mother gifts this set to the bride as a way of giving her blessings to the newlyweds and to assure that the bride will be well taken care of when she goes into their family. This also signifies the groom’s family’s acceptance of her. The jewelry given may also be used to pass on from generation to generation. It is quite common for mothers to pass down their Si Dian Jin set to their daughter in laws. The bride can then continue to keep the custom alive with her own children in the future. It also highlights the invaluable significance of receiving a parent’s unconditional love and blessings. Nothing comes as precious as family heirlooms that can withstand the test of time.
Although Si Dian Jin usually features gold jewelry, it doesn’t necessarily have to be gold. Some women prefer contemporary jewelry for example, jade with a modern touch that can be worn on a daily basis or during special occasions. Some even go for diamonds, pearls or gemstones. It all comes down to personal preference. The mother-in-law usually consults her choice of jewelry to the bride to ensure that it is in accordance with her taste.
While the debate between gold and modern jewelry remains, did you know that each jewelry design chosen as Si Dian Jin has different meanings?
Flowers : Represents the bride’s beauty and elegance
Shuang Xi : Literal meaning is double happiness. This signifies happiness and bliss
Dragon and Phoenix : Symbolizes a match made in heaven that lasts a lifetime
Pig : A traditional symbol of fertility so the newlyweds would be blessed with an offspring soon
A tradition as beautiful as sending blessings and happy wishes to the couple deserves to be practiced and preserved. Here at Gen K, we aspire to keep the tradition alive by dedicating a collection of jewelry sets to Si Dian Jin. Brides today even shop with their future mother in laws for their Si Dian Jin jewelry as it creates a wonderful memory and deepens their bond. By doing this, the bride also gets to pick a design according to her preference.
Drop by our showroom and take a look at our Si Dian Jin designs to add a wonderful touch of tradition on your special day!